IT’S MASTERS WEEK and time to get the excitement flowing for what typically amounts to the best day of the golfing season.
I’ll be working Sunday, so no relaxing around the house enjoying the unfolding drama.
Online coverage of Amen Corner, holes 15 and 16, and two featured groups from cbssports.com will have to suffice.
One big sacrifice for the right to attend multiple days of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay a little more than two months from now, I suppose.
There’s two main plot points that will be answered his week: Is Rory McIlroy ready to be fitted for his own gaudy green jacket and complete the career grand slam as a Masters winner? And how will Tiger Woods fare in his return to competitive golf?
Rain and thunderstorms started Tuesday and are expected at the Augusta, Georgia course all week long, a good thing for Rory, who’s won all four of his major tournaments after rains softened up the host courses.
The wet conditions help keep his booming drives in or near the fairway and make greens more receptive to approach shots and slower and easier to putt.
Put a quid on the Ulsterman to win the tournament.
I’d wager that Woods makes the cut, too.
After his early-season round of 82 at Torrey Pines, he’s had plenty of time to attempt to cure his chipping yips.
But practicing at home and winning on the biggest stage in golf are different beasts, altogether.
A top-30 finish for Tiger . . . and momentum for his 15th major at Chambers Bay, perhaps?
I can dream, I suppose.
Virtual Masters tour
I’ve had a couple of friends venture down to the venerable course in the last few years, but nobody was willing to take me up on my offer of sending along a photo or two from Augusta National.
A well-illustrated pictorial essay of a trip to last year’s Masters by Business Insider’s Jay Yarow is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-MastersTour.
He captured some interesting behind-the-scenes shots, the walk up to the course’s entrance, the sweeping and hilly nature of the course that isn’t quite as visible on television, the bank of the most heavily-used pay phones in the country (no cell phones on the grounds), and of course, a pimento cheese sandwich.
Spring opener
SkyRidge Golf Course in Sequim will hold its Spring Opener, a two-person scramble format event, starting with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start Saturday.
In a tip of the golf cap to Augusta National, players will play from the course’s green tees.
Cost is $70 per team and includes range balls, KP’s and lunch.
A honey pot is an extra $15 per player, and a cart seat also is $15.
For more, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673 or stop by the course.
Spring Fling in PT
Port Townsend Golf Club will host its annual Spring Fling Scramble, a three-person, pick-your-own-team event, this Saturday.
Play begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Cost is $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers.
The annual Brad Brown Memorial Tournament follows on Saturday, April 18.
The course also holds Skins games all day long each Thursday and Saturday.
For more information, phone the pro shop at 360-385-4547.
SunLand Women
Nancy Harlan checked in to say the SunLand Women’s Golf Association held their “Kick-Off for the 2015 Season” reception Monday March 30.
“Members enjoyed the social event by renewing acquaintances and engaging in catch-up conversation,” Harlan said.
“It was hosted by the current board of directors, who provided delicious hors d’oeuvres.”
Officers for 2015 are Captain Cheryl Coulter, Assistant Captain Nonie Dunphy, Secretary Dorene Berard, and Treasurer – Ruth Lowe.
Barbara Evans will serve as handicap chair, Judy Flanders as rules chair and Judy Nordyke is the group’s past captain.
Yearbooks for the upcoming season were distributed as well.
“These booklets are treasured, as everything you want to know about SWGA for 2015 is in this booklet,” Harlan said.
“It is no easy task for the editors to produce this booklet each year. Alice Myers heads this team with Ruth Lowe and Dorene Berard assisting.”
Tyler Sweet, SunLand golf pro and general manager, announced that several Fun Fridays will be added to the schedule for all SunLand lady golfers.
These will feature nine hole scrambles or similar games, held late in the afternoon.
SWGA is moving into the technology arena by implementing online tee bookings for the weekly play days.
Manual sign-up sheets are a thing of the past.
If players do not have computer access, they may call or come by the pro shop and the staff will assist.
The SunLand women will again participate in Teams of the Olympic Peninsula this year.
Members were invited and encouraged to play in this monthly team event, where each of six golf clubs in the area form a team of eight players to compete.
The season will culminate on October 5 with a Fun Day, where all members of each participating club are invited to play in a lighthearted tournament, followed by a luncheon.
The event will be hosted by the SunLand women at SunLand Golf & Country Club.
Cedars demos
Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim series of April demo days starts with TaylorMade/Adams Golf from noon to 4 p.m. today.
The visit from the No. 1 brand in golf is the first of four consecutive Wednesday visits that run from noon to 4 p.m.
Callaway Golf visits April 15, Ping is on hand April 22 and Nike Golf visits April 29.
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Golf columnist Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or pdngolf@gmail.com.